Monsters of the Night

Chapter Three

The next morning, the leftover Rangers and Harold watched as the Heron set sail. They had deligated that Gilan and David travel with them, the twins being looked after by their father.

"We've only just found each other, now we're separating again?" David had said, resting his head against Jemma's. "I don't like it."

"I know, but just think! This is the last time we have to separate. When this is all done, we can live in a cabin, in our own fief, with the twins." Jemma smiled.

"Don't jinx us." David muttered, causing Jemma to laugh.

"Bye." She whispered softly, closing her eyes. "I love you."

"Love you too."

...

"We need to hurry." Halt said, looking towards the sun. "Let's finish this mission, then I can finally properly retire."

"So you've finally decided to retire then, eh?" Jemma smiled, saddling Socks.

"He's been semi-retired probably since you were three years old." Will grinned. "Pulled out of it when you came round."

"After this issue with female Rangers is resolved, I can finally settle down." Halt, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.

"Umm, excuse me, but you don't seem like the type to settle down?" Harold spoke up. Halt turned his gaze on him, and he shrunk back.

"That's because he isn't." Jemma said with a grin, lifting herself into the saddle and pulling Harold up behind her. "Aren't you, Halt?"

"I'd advise you stop talking." Halt said grimly.

...

They had been on the road for several hours before Jemma motioned for them to leave the road.

"I heard something. Sounds like a Ranger." She told them.

"How would you even tell?" Halt said doubtfully.

"You really have grown old, haven't you Halt?" Jemma grinned, causing him to scowl. "You taught me to listen out for Ranger horses. I don't know if you noticed, but I changed the gait for all of our horses a little while ago, and in the distance I heard the split second change."

"Genius." Will grinned.

Jemma motioned for them all to be quiet. A minute later, an alert Ranger came into view.

Jemma slowly climbed the nearest tree and silently brought out her bow. She nocked an arrow and called, "Halt! Or I'll put an arrow through you!"

The Ranger stopped and turned to face her general direction.

She grinned as she recognised him. She hopped down, having a distinct feeling in her gut she could trust him.

"Wow, it's been a while." She grinned. "How are you, Kyle?"

"Good, but I think I could say the same thing." The young man grinned. "We never really spoke properly after the Battleschool stuff."

"Fun times." She grinned. "We showed those kids what Rangers are made of. What are you doing around here?"

"Jamie, Harold and I thought some fishy was going on. Thought we would check it out."

"Well, you were right on that one. Town back there a while has been burnt to the ground. Children smuggled out. Ranger killed. We think it was a diversion to thin out the Rangers near Castle Araluen."

Kyle whistled. "That's serious."

Jemma nodded and beckoned for the others to join her.

"You know my father and Halt, and uhh...this is Harold Greenfeebs." Jemma grabbed him by the shoulders.

"The last kid to go missing from the area." Kyle realised.

"Great, you catch on quick." Jemma grinned teasingly. "Picked him up on the coast and took him back home to find it gone. He's tagging along with us now."

"Cool." Kyle said, looking to the sky. "It's getting late, you want to camp with us?"

"Sure." Jemma smiled.

...

After having a quick catch up with Jamie and Harold, Jemma informed the two of the plot.

Now, having just finished her dinner, Jemma called out, "Harold!"

Two heads shot up, causing everyone except Halt to snort.

"Greenfeebs." Jemma confirmed.

The young boy hurriedly put away his bowl and bustled over. "I'm going to teach you a few self-defense moves to protect yourself if you ever need to." Jemma told him.

He nodded and carefully took hold of the two knives she handed him. She led him away from the campfire slightly.

After an hour of Harold practising, Jemma told him to stop. "Why don't you take care of these for me for now?"

Harold blushed. "I'd be honoured."

Jemma laughed and ruffled his hair. "Get some sleep now."

She studied him as he walked over to his rollmat and wrapped himself in a blanket. He quickly fell asleep. Jemma smiled and sat down next to the other men.

Halt, Harold, Jamie, Kyle and Will studied her.

"Ranger material." Jemma told them quietly. "If we ever finally get this female Ranger stuff straightened out, I think I would take him on as an apprentice. He doesn't have a home anyway now, so we could integrate him into the Ranger family."

The others nodded. "And we need new Rangers now more than ever, because of all the Rangers killed in those anti-female Ranger riots."

Jemma nodded. "We'll see."

She then turned her back and lay down, falling asleep. She left Jamie as first lookout, and the rest of her trusty team to sleep.